Empire star Jussie Smollett has been hospitalized in Chicago after a violent attack, one authorities are deeming an apparent hate crime.

The incident occurred around 2 a.m. Tuesday. According to TMZ, two men wearing ski masks confronted Jussie outside of a Subway sandwich shop. They allegedly attacked the actor, placed a noose around his neck and poured bleach on him yelling, “This is MAGA country.” Per That Grape Juice, Jussie had recently received a letter with cut out letters spelling a derogatory statement, “You will die black f**”.

Chicago law enforcement is investigating the attack as battery. Smollett was later released from the hospital. The 35-year-old actor confirmed that he was gay during a 2015 interview on Ellen and hoped that other gay individuals would feel less alone in the world.